Shorts Program 4 is Surprisingly Human

In the last year, I’ve learned that I can’t go wrong watching anything from Kat Candler. I enjoyed her film, Hellion, and was pleasantly surprised by Black Metal. Candler is great at bringing a raw, human element to her work, and that’s largely why Black Metal works for me. It is the story of how a rock star deals with the news that one of his fans has committed a grisly crime that may have been motivated by his band’s music. I’m no fan of metal music, but seeing (even a fictional) metal musician so stripped down and vulnerable really struck a chord with me (pun possibly intended). I honestly wish this film had been a minute or two longer. It ends right when it seems like our protagonist is about to make a big decision. Maybe that was the point. Ahem, Kat Candler, I’m awaiting a sequel.

Remember that time you ate all the cookies in the jar, then blamed your little brother when your mom asked who ate them? That’s what The Captain reminds me of. It may have been the shortest film of Program 4, but in some ways, it packs the biggest punch by playing on our primal urge to get out of trouble. Without using any dialogue, directors Nash Edgerton and Spencer Susser humorously tell the story of a captain’s attempt to cover his tracks after a disaster. The film is short, sweet, and gets right to the point, with the perfect amount of exposition and an amazing set.